On Monday 7 December 2015, the European Commission (EC) presented its long-awaited Aviation strategy for Europe. The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the largest European workers’ representative in civil aviation, agrees on the urgency for a comprehensive strategy integrating social aspects, safety and security, as well as measures to restore fair competition. However, the ETF is dissatisfied by the lack of binding legislative proposals and actions in the social field in the Commission strategy.

Aviation must retain its reputation as the safest mode of transport in Europe. However, the ETF is concerned about the uncritical approach vis-à-vis the so-called new business models, which often involve a lack of industrial relations, questionable forms of employment and outsourcing. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) admitted that precarious and atypical employment may have adverse effects on safety. Прочети още →

On December 5, the International Volunteer Day, FTTUB and the “European future” foundation paid tribute to volunteerism by awarding honorary diplomas and certificates to their volunteers who actively participated in the activities and the events of the two organisations. The ceremony was held on the beautiful site of Sofia History Museum. Nadezhda Staneva was leading the event.
FTTUB President Ekaterina Yordanova welcomed the participants with the words: “You are probably wondering how come unions, which preach that each work should be rewarded fairly, develop volunteering. Union membership and trade union activity in their own way are volunteerism. They mean personal time and effort sacrificed in the name of common good and excellence for all. Volunteerism is in the heart of trade unionism. ”
Yordanova recalled that last year FTTUB and the “European future” foundation, with the invaluable support of Sofia Municipality and Karlovo Municipality, organized and realized a number of initiatives. Прочети още →

On 3 December 2015 was held the seventh congress of NTU “Water Supply ” – CITUB, entitled ” Reliable, strong , unforgiving – decent work and pay”
Official guests of the event were the Deputy Minister of the Regional Development and Public Works Nikolay Nankov and presidents of federations and unions – key members of the Confederation , among them the President of FTTUB Ekaterina Yordanova . Прочети още →

In the Friday evening of November 27, 2015 the members of the FTTUB Trade union of Sofia Airport gathered at the Museum of Aviation for a general assembly.
FTTUB President Ekaterina Yordanova actively attended in the congregation at the invitation of the Union leaders and willingly answered all questions raised by the workers. Прочети още →

On 24 and 25 November 2015 in Vienna was held the final annual meeting of the Civil Aviation section of ETF. It was carried out there at the invitation and with the cooperation of the Austrian trade union vida, which is a key member of the ETF.
Normally, the Assembly was preceded by regular meetings of the three committees comprising the section – ATM Committee, Ground Staff Committee and Cabin Crew Committee / Pilots’ Working Group. FTTUB was represented by its members and experts in all of them. The work session of the ATM Committee was attended by trade unionists of the FTTUB affiliate in BULATSA, the meeting of Ground Staff Committee was joined by members of the FTTUB affiliate at Sofia Airport and Antonia Panayotova, an International Relations expert, represented FTTUB in the Cabin Crew Committee / Pilots’ Working Group. Прочети още →

The end of the year is near, so is the closing of the Operational Program for Transport (2007 – 2013). This hurried both the project activities and accountability. After the meeting in October, yesterday’s meeting (November 25 to 26) in the Boyana Residence was another look at the results. One more meeting has been planned for the next month.
The Monitoring Committee (MC) meeting was attended by the Managing Authority, beneficiaries, local executive authorities, NGOs, trade unions, experts from the European Commission and others stakeholders.The president of FTTUB Ekaterina Yordanova was present, as usual.
While these are two separate programs – OP Transport (2007 – 2013) and OP Transport and Transport Infrastructure (2014 – 2020.), the meetings of the MC always refer to both. Прочети още →

November 25 has been declared by the United Nations the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. On this day, governments, social partners and civil society around the world expressed clearly their will to fight this disgraceful but actually existing phenomenon. According to the European Fundamental Rights Agency, even in the European Union every third woman has experienced some form of gender based violence after the age of 15. A part of this violence happens in the workplace – both by colleagues and by third party. In the transport sector, aggression by passengers or other players in the road becomes a serious problem.

On this day FTTUB started a massive campaign against aggression in the workplace. The campaign continued efforts put last year to ask for a special convention of the International Labour Organisation under the initiative of the International Trade Union Confederation and the International Transport Workers’ Federation, whose member is FTTUB. Прочети още →

Terrorist attacks in Paris shocked the world and the global trade union movement expressed its clear position on the issue.
At the same time we must not forget our brave leaders in the Arab world, which are some of the most devoted advocates of human rights in the region and as such often become a target for those who try to end democracy and democratic values.
One of these modern heroes is our sister Nermin Al-Sharif, leader of the Union of dockers and sailors in Libya. Прочети още →

FTTUB expresses its deepest grieve and empathy to our French colleagues and the whole French people for the innocent victims of thе terroristic attacks on 13 November. We suffer with you and we offer you our full solidarity. We join your commitment not to step back and keep the spirit of courage and love for freedom which very symbol are France and Paris.

On 12 and 13 November 2015 in Paris was held the second seminar within the project “Social conditions in public transport companies in Europe”. The first one had earlier taken place in Sofia (see here). The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), EVA academy and UITP – the employers’ organization for public transport, are partners in this project.
The FTTUB representatives Mila Nikolova and Madlen Yordanova, sectoral representative to the Youth Committee, participated in the seminar titled “Employment and working conditions.” There were presented the findings of the study conducted by ICF through questionnaires in public transport enterprises of 11 European countries. Прочети още →